Was the notion of community development born out of colonialism? Or
Is the notion of community development a new concept to the global south?
Community development refers to a situation where members of the community pool resources and efforts in order to address common problems and challenges. In pre-colonial times such collective action was common. For instance communities mobilized to construct irrigation systems, bridges and other facilities for common use. This was community development. With the advent of colonialism and modernization, the collective action needed to address community challenges changed in tune with the currents of modernization
Adolphus makes a good point in identifying that it is the direction of the action that distinguishes its roots. Also, with moves towards participatory community action it is being undertaken from a more 'authentic' and indigenised perspective even when it sees from colonial pasts - of course, those colonial pasts have not left a purely negative legacy, but one that can be authenticised locally.
If we look at the work of economist Elinor Ostrom, we can see that the collective management of common pool resources is possible. She received the Noble Prize for her work, including her 1990 book Governing the Commons. She refuted the tragedy of the commons argument put forward by Garrett Hardin (1965) and showed many empirical examples of people around the world who were managing common pool resources without any tragedies of overuse. Such management has been harder to maintain with the history of conquest, colonialism and transformation of capitalism over time--right up to today's resurgence of neoliberalism. For me, the better way to ask this question is, Community development for whom? Who gets to decide? Colonialism did indeed capture the definition of development and the means required to develop communities for capitalism.
The concept of "community development" is equivalent to the concept of "gotong-royong" in Malaysia and it has been practiced long before Malaya was colonized. In fact this is an indigenous approach to community development and community organizing in Malaysia. The concept is still being practiced but it becomes less demanding due to social change and development in Malaysia.
Thank you all. Can you help me with books and articles that address this debate?
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